Small bowel cancer (small intestine)

Description Small bowel cancer ...

Description

Small bowel cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in a portion of the small intestine. These abnormal cells ultimately grow and produce a tumor. This cancer is relatively rare compared to stomach and colorectal cancer. The cancer behaves somewhat differently depending on its location in the small bowel. Cancers in the first third of the small intestine (duodenum) tend to behave more like stomach cancer while cancers in the next two-thirds of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) tend to behave more like colorectal cancer. Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and familial polyposis syndrome increase the risk of small bowel cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and blood in the stools.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A complete history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis may be suspected from results of an abdominal CT scan or MRI. Making a definitive diagnosis can be challenging because the area involved often cannot be reached with endoscopy. Surgery may be needed for biopsy or to remove the tumor completely.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Endoscopy, Lipase, Urinalysis (UA), Upper GI series

Specialists:
General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Blood and Cancer Care (hematology and oncology), Surgical Oncology

Treatment

Treatment is determined by the size and location of the cancer. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used.